Big Summer By Jennifer Weiner: Mini Book Review

Big Summer Rating: 4/5

Big Summer Summary: Daphne Berg, a plus-size influencer, is surprised when her former high school BFF asks her to be the maid of honor at her wedding. Daphne hasn’t talked to Drue since the incident that changed Daphne’s life. She agrees because it is good publicity, and she’s always been drawn to Drue’s glamorous life no matter the outcome. When the perfect summer wedding comes crashing down from a murder, Daphne’s thrown in the middle of it and has to prove she’s not the prime suspect. When truths come out about infidelity, failing businesses, and former flings things become a lot more complicated.

Review:

This book was not what I expected it to be. I don’t really know what I expected it to be, but not whatever I read. It was good though! It starts off with Daphne’s life up until the wedding with consistent flashbacks to give you a well rounded view of how Daphne came to be an influencer, her issues with her weight, and her turbulent relationship with Drue. The flash backs in the first half are powerful. You learn so much about Daphne and the vignettes are poignant. The first half was my favorite part and if she would have continued that writing style throughout the novel I would have been completely content, even if it did make the book longer.

You could easily split this book into two parts, first part early-2000s chick lit and the second part YA mystery (weird combo, I know). You really get a feel for Daphne and there were several moments that were incredible true to growing up fat in the first half, but the second is where I both loved and disliked the book. It felt incredibly rushed from the first half, but the plot actually started moving and it became very entertaining to read. It was like the plot switched from character driven to plot driven. But it was an entertaining read.

Long Story Short

Do I recommend this book? Yes, I do. I quickly went through the book and enjoyed most of it. While there is a bit of issue with what this story is and the pacing, it’s a fun read. The characterization is incredibly good. Reading it for just that is probably enough in its own. I am curious about other novels by Weiner now too.

I borrowed this book from my local library.
Here is the Amazon Link (I am NOT affiliated with Amazon)
Have you read Big Summer? Or any other Jennifer Weiner novels? I’m curious to try some more of hers!

All opinions are of my own are not reflective of anyone else. I buy/loan all of the books I review unless specified and I only give my 100% true opinion on them.

Less murder, but same amount of fatphobia and introspect, I highly recommend Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade. When Marcus comes to the aid of a fan online who’s being trolled because she’s fat, he doesn’t expect her to be his online friend and possibly his chance at happy ever after. Read my full review here.